Method of and apparatus for preparing fuel and generating gas therefrom



Sept. 22, 1931. SMITH METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARING FUEL AND GENERATING GAS THEREFROM Filed se tyzo. 1921 4 Sheet-Sheet 1 aoooooaocccconaooo ZZUEHZZZF Fl 75755555 wnm 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. F. SMITH Filed Sept. 20, 1921 Sept. 22, 1931.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARING FUEL AND GENERATING GAS TEEREFROM H. F. SMITH 1,824,576

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARING FUEL AND GENERATING GAS THEREFROM Sept. 22, 1931.

Filed Sept. 20, 1921 4 Shgets-Sheet gmw w W A H x I '1 I i i l i 1 I l l 1 l l EM 'Q Q W I H. F. SMITH 1,824,576 METHOD OF .AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARING FUEL AND GENERATING GAS THEREF'ROM- Sept. 22, 1931.

Filed Sept. 20, 192] 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 E7 J i 27 4711 72 ZZZ 72225555 Patented Sept. 22, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY F. SMITH, F DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GAS RESEARCH 00., OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARING FUEL AND GENERATING GAS THEREFROM Application filed September 20, 1921. Serial No. 501,887.

This invention relates to gas generation, 1

and more particularly to the generation of producer gas, Water gas, and the like.

' In the generation of gas, such as producer b gas, serious trouble is encountered if the fuel, from which the gas is being generated, is too fine in size or is of strongly caking characteristics. With fine coal the fuel bed becomes so compact that passage of the blast through the fuel bed cannot be maintained. Where strongly caking coal is used, there is the same result, for the fuel bed has a tendency to form in a large compact mass of coke.

In general producer operation, heretofore, therefore, the practice has been touse a coal of proper size as wellvas one which is as free, as may be, from caking characteristics.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a method of generating gas, such as producer gas, from fine or caking coal, and apparatus for carrying that method into effect.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of, and apparatus for, treating 25 fine or caking coals so that they may be satisfactorily utilized in the ordinary gas generator.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a method of preparing fuel suitable for gas generation, and other uses.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the description of the invention set out below, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, in which like characters of reference designate like parts throughout Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the ash pit gate shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view at right angles to the plane of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional View of the shaker cylinder for operating the grate of the generating chamber.

In the carrying out'of this invention means is provided for treating the fuel, before its introduction into the generating chamber, so that, regardless of the character of the fuel, it will be introduced into the generating chamber, after treatment, in the form of a coke-like substance, and in lumps of substantial size. The treatment to which the fuel is subjected consists in compacting the fuel, admixed with evolved normally condensable hydrocarbons or some analogous substance which for purposes of description is hereinafter termed tar, coking the compacted material, breaking up the coked material into lumps of suitable size, and feeding these lumps into the producer. The coking of the compacted fuel is accomplished by passing the hot generated gases thereover, the tar for admixture with the fuel being exuded from the fuel itself, which is subjected to a distilling action as the hot generated gases pass thereover before the compacting action takes place; or removed from the generated gas, the tar being removed from the gas after it is cooled and introduced into the treating apparatus for admixture with the fuel; or from some outside source.

The treating apparatus is capable of treating fuel of any desired size, from the finest dust to lumps. of any predetermined size. Ordinarily fuel of large size need not be treated, for when properly sized it should function satisfactorily, unless of a strongly caking nature.

In the gas generating system shown in Fig. 1, the numeral 10 designates the metallic shell of a gas producer, containing a generating means of the top 14 which, if desired, may be water-cooled, or provided with a refractory lining. The blast, for the gas making reactions, which blast, in a gas producer, usually consists of moisture-laden air, is introduced through the opening 15, into the ash-pit 16, below the grate 13, whence it passes upwardly through the fuel bed, reacting with the incandescent fuel therein to form gas, and passing out through the ofitake 17.

As shown, the olltake opening 17 also functions as the fuel inlet opening, being surrounded by a housing 20, positioned upon the top of the producer. in the form of ap paratus shown generally in Fig. l, and in detail in Fig. 2, this housing provides therein a treating chamber, within which the fuel is treated before its introduction into the generating chamber. Positioned within the treating chamber, and carried by the wall thereof are a plurality of partitions or shelves 21, each shell having a centrally arranged opening 22 therein, these partitions or shelves dividing the treating chamber into a plurality of chambers 23, the centrally arranged openings 22, in the various partitions serving to connect the chambers upon opposite sides of each of the partitions. Mounted within the hearing 25, in the top of the chamber 20' and the bearing 26, within a spider, positioned in the odtake opening, is a shaft 27. A suitable gear 30, is carried-by the outor end of the shaft, which meshes with a pinion 31, driven from any suitable power source, for causing rotation of the shaft during operation of the device. Fixedly attached to the shalt 27 is a series of spaced plates 28, each of these plates being located within one of the chambers 23, These plates 28 are so attached to the shaft 27 that they will rotate with that shalt, preferably being held by means cit pins 29. The plates 28 are less in diameter than the treating chamber, but are of considerably greater diameter than the openings 22. Carried upon the lower face of each of these plates, and arranged at diametrically opposite points, are two sets of plows or scraper members 35. These plows are so arranged, as shown in the drawings, that upon rotation of the plate carrying them any fuel upon the partition 2i, cooperating with said plows, will be moved across the plate and dumped through the opening 22. The arrangement is such that the fuel caused to pass through one opening 22, by the plows 35 will fall upon the plate 28 in the next lower chamber'23. Mounted upon the lower side of each partition 21, and

eaten-lug downwardly into the chamber be low that partition, are two sets of plows 36, these plows being so arran ed that they tend to move any fuel with w ich they contact in a direction opposite to the plows 35. The plows 85 tend to move the fuel towards the center of the treating chamber, while the heaters plows 36 tend to move the fuel from the center towards the periphery. These plows are stationary, but the plate 28 cooperating with these plows 35 is rotary. Therefore, any fuel which falls upon the upper surface of anyot the plates 28, through the opening 22 thereabove, will be moved toward the periphery of said plate and caused to fall over the edge thereof upon the partition 21 forming the bottom oi the chamber in which that plate is housed. By means of this construction any fuel which is fed to the upper chamber 23 will be fed downwardly through the treating chamber, the last set of plows 35 causing that fuel to fall through the ofi'talre opening 17 into the generating chamber.

The shaft 27 extends downwardly into the generating chamber, and carries upon the lower end thereof, within the generating chamber, and beneath the olltalre opening 17, a fuel distributor or deflector plate 38. This plate is pinned to the shaft, or attached thereto in some other suitable manner, so that it will rotate therewith. As the fuel is fed through the ofitalre opening 17, it will fall upon this distributor plate and be spread over the fuel bed within the generating chamber. By properly proportioning the distributor plate, any desired distribution of the fuel, within the generating chamber, may be secured.-

Also carried upon the lower face of certain of the plates 28 are compacting rollers 40. As-showneach of these rollers consists of a metal cylinder, mounted upon an axle ll, the ends of which are upturned and pivotally connected to the lower face of the plate 28, upon which the roller is carried. These rollers may be of substantial size so that they will have considerable weight, and being pivotally attached to the plates 28 they are free to rise and fall, to accord with the level of the fuel upon the partitions 21, with which they cooperate. As shown the compacting rollers are mounted only upon the plates within the two inner chambers 23, the two end chambers having no rollers therein.

Fuel is led into the housing at any desired predetermined rate by means of the ported plug 50, which is rotated in any suitable manner, the means for rotating the plug not being shown. This plug is located within a cylindrical housing 51, one side of which is connected, through the opening 52, to any desired place of supply of fuel, the other side being connected through the opening 53 to the fuel inlet opening 54 of the housing 20. By properly controlling the rate of rotation of the plu the rate at which fuel is introduced into ti o housing 20, and thus to the generating chamber is controlled.

T e gas which passes into the housinsn 20 through the otltalre 17 passes out o't the housing through the opening 55, which is connected to a down-comer 60, this downcomer in turn opening into the lower end of a water-spray condenser 61, wherein the gas, as it passes upwardly through the condenser, is subjected to a water spray which tends to both cool the gas and remove impurities therefrom. The upper end of the condenser is connected to the inlet of the exhauster or pump 62. The producer shown is of the so called suction type, in-which the blast is drawn into the producer, and the generated gas drawn out of the producer, undersuction. The exhauster 62 furnishes this suction, and forces the gas, which is drawn from the generating chamber, through the delivery main 63, under any desired pressure. Located in the delivery main is a purifier or extractor 65, which may be of any suitable type. The extractor shown is of the type disclosed in the patent of Harry F. Smith No. 1,099,773 dated June 9, 1914:, and details of construction of that extractor are therefore not shown herein. As set out in the above referred to patent the gas as it passes through the extractor has the very finely divided tar fog contained therein agglomerated into drops of substantial size, which are carried out of the extractor, along with the gas, into the separator 66. This separator is in reality merely an enlargement in the delivery main, a baffle plate 67 being positioned in this enlargement, the construction being such that the velocity of flow of the gas is slowed down. At the reduced velocity the drops of tar within the gas fall out, through the action of gravity, into the tar collecting sump 68. I

Where a caking coal is being used, a coal which is rich in resinous or tarry hydrocarbons, the resinous or tarry constituents will be exuded therefrom, in the upper part of the housing 20, as the coal is heated by the oflcoming gases passing over it. The coal therefore tends to agglomerate into a mass, but because of the action of the plows it is fed downwardly from the top chamber 23 into the next lower chamber. Within the second chamber 23 it is subject alternately to a compacting action, by means of the rollers, and is then broken up as it is forced into the next lower chamber 23, by means of the plows. As the admixed tar and coal passes downwardly through the housing 21 it is subjected to a. progressively increasing heat, which drives off the volatile constituents therefrom to effect coking of the fuel. The degree of coking may be readily controlled by controlling the length of time to which it is subjected to the hot gases. If desired substantially all volatile may be driven off therefrom by the time the fuel is fed through the fuel inlet opening 17. Also, if desired, the hot gases need not be used for heating the fuel in the treating chamber, for heat from any other suitable source will accomplish the desired coking of the fuel. As a result of the compacting and disintegrating action to which the fuel is subjected, while it is being coked, it is formed into lumps of substantial size. With a caking coal of this kind, very finely divided fuel may be introduced into the housing, and coke of substantial size passed into the generating chamber. Of course it is not necessary that finely divided fuel be used, for the same character of eloke will be secured if larger size fuel is use i Some of the tar which is exuded from the coal, is of course also coked, but a considerable part of this tar will pass off in the Vapor phase through the pipe 55 and will be separatedout and collected in the sump 68. If desired this tar may be returned to the housing and introduced into the upper chamber 23, a pump 70 forcing the tar through the pipes 71, to the nozzles 72, through which it is sprayed into the treating chamber to be mixed with the incoming fuel.

Some fuels are rich in volatile hydrocarbons, but lack caking characteristics. These fuels, may be subjected to the same treatment, 'as described above, the tars driven ofi' from these fuels being returned to the treating chamber and serving as the binding or agglomerating material.

And, too, fuels which are substantially free from tar may be subjected to the same treatment if desired. For instance, finely divided anthracite, coke breeze, and the like, which as such do not constitute satisfactory fuel for gas producers may be subjected to the same treatment, the tar for admixture with the fuel before it is compacted and coked being supplied from any desired source.

In Fig. t is shown a modified form of apparatus, which is adapted for the generation of gas, and also for the production of coke for general use. This apparatus comprises a generating chamber 100, having suitable lining 101, the top of the generating chamber having a gas offtake, and fuel inlet, opening 102. Mounted upon the top of the generating chamber is the housing 20', inclosing a treating chamber, the construction of this part of the apparatus being substantially identical with that described above, the only distinction being that the distributing member 38 is dispensed with, the fuel passing directly through the opening 102 into the generating chamber.

A grate, designated generally by thenumeral 105 is positioned within the generating chamber 100, and is adapted to sustain the fuel bed, within that generating chamber. This grate is composedof pivoted grate bars 106, each grate bar being pivotally connected to an operating rod 107, which is in turn attached to a piston 108 Within the shaker cylinder 109. A valve 110, constructed for cooperation with the inlet and exhaust ports, illustrated diagrammatically at 111 and 112 is provided for controlling the supply of pressure fluid to the cylinder to cause reciprocation of the piston therein, and consequent rocking of the grate bars about their pivots. Either steam-or compressed air will function satisfactorily as the pressure fiuid. Any other suitable type of mechanism for rocking the grate bars may be used. And if desired other forms of grate construction may be used, many of the mechanically operated grate constructions now well known commercially being capable of functioning satisfactorily.

The grate serves not only to support the fuel bed, but its construction is such that upon actuation thereof ashes. and also part of the fuel upon the grate will pass therethrough into the ash pit. The fuel introduced into the treating chamber is properly compacted and coked as described above, being then fed into the generating chamber through the opening 102. A blast, of air alone, or of air and moisture, is introduced into the ash pit beneath the grates, through the opening 115, this blast passing upwardly through the fuel bed upon the grate. The resulting gas passes upwardly through the treating chamber and ofitake 55' to any desired place of use, the volatile hydrocarbons driven off from the fuel within the treating chamber passing off with this gas to enrich it, the heavier hydrocarbons being removed, as described above.

From time to time the grate 105 is shaken to cause the passage of a part of the coked material therethrough, along with the ash, into the ash pit. The fuel leaving the housing 20' is coked, but the treating process is generally not carried. on far enough to insure the driving off of all the volatile constituents. But the coking is completedwithin the generating chamber 100. The fuel feeding mechanism, and treating chamber, are constructed, and operated, that they supply the treated fuel to the generating chamber. faster than it is consumed in the gas generation. The excess fuel is passed through the grate into the ash pit as coke. The ash pit is, preferably, conical in form, inclined walls being provided so that the coke and ashes will readily slide to the bottom thereof in which is located an outlet opening 120 closed by the door or gate 121.

This gate 121, as shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6, consists of a member 122, which is securely atached, as by rivetting, to the ash pit, surrounding the opening 120, a second member 123 cooperating therewith, and being supported therefrom upon the bolts 124, springs 125 being positioned upon these bolts, between the heads thereof and the lower face of the member 123, to hold this member 123 yieldingly against the cooperating face of the member 122. Each of the members 122 and 123 has an opening therein, similar in shape and size to the opening 120, Within the ash pit. A gate or plate-valve 126, is positioned between the two members 122 and 123, a rack 127 being mounted upon the lower face of the valve, a pinion 128 carried by the shaft 129, which is rotatably mounted within suitable openings in the projections 130, carried upon the lower face of the member 123 being positioned to mesh with this rack so that upon rotation of the shaft 129 the valve 126 will be caused to slide between the two members 122 and 123. This valve plate has an opening 131 therein, corresponding in shape and size to the opening within the ash pit, the construction being such that when the valve is in one position the opening 131 is in alignment with the opening 120 and the openings within the members 122 and 123 to permit the escape of material from the ash pit, and when in another position the opening 131 is out of register with the opening 120, the Valve then closing off the opening 120 to prevent the escape of material from the ash pit.

Positioned below the outlet to the ash pit is a quenching chamber 135, into which the ashes and coke pass from the ash pit. In this chamber is located a spray 136 through which water is sprayed upon the coke to quench it. If desired the steam. or vapor thus formed may be utilizedfor introduction into the air blast passing through the opening 115, to supply the moisture for use in the generation of gas within the generating chamber 100.

\Vhere the steam is thus utilized it passes through the pipe 137, into the saturator 138, which consists of a chamber having a series of baflles or grids 139 therein, the steam entering the saturator near the bottom thereof, the air inlet opening 140 being located, preferably just below the steam inlet. The air and steam leave the saturator through the pipe 115, which opens into the top thereof. As set out in the patents to H. F. Smith No. 888,359, and Patent No. 1,397,556 this saturator is based on the principle that for a given temperature air will take up a definite quantity of moisture. The steam introduced to the saturator raises the temperature of the air therein and that air becomes saturated for that resulting temperature. By varying the quantity of steam to maintain the temperature in the saturator constant the proportion of moisture to air in the blast may be maintained constant. As described in the patents referred to immediately above a control valve 141 is placed in the pipe 137, which is actuated by a suitable thermostatic device, the precise construction of which is not shown, responsive to temperature conditions in the pipe 115.

By means of this construction fuel which would ordinarily be unavailable for the making of high grade coke may be utilized, after treatment as described above, in the production of such coke, and at the same time gas, such as producer gas is generated. And, further, the use of the conventional retorts or ovens, in which coke is made, is dispensed the forms of apparatus for. carrying these methods into effect, constitute preferred embodlments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise methods and forms of apparatus, and

that changes may be made in either without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: 1. The method of preparing coal for use in the generating chamber of a gas producer,

which comprises feeding the coal toward the generating chamber of the producer, subjecting such fuel as it is being thus fed toward the generating chamber to a heating action to evolve tar therefrom, alternately compacting the fuel admixed with such evolved tar and breaking up the resulting compacted mass, while subjecting it to further heating tend-' ing to effect coking thereof, and breaking up the treated fuel into lumps of suitable size and feeding these lumps into the generating chamber of the producer.

2. The method of preparing a finely divided coal for use in a gasproducer which consists in admixing such coal as such coal is being fed to the generating chamber of the producer with tar; .compacting the admixed coal and tar while subjecting 1t to a heating action to drive off the volatile constituents therefrom to form coke'; and breaking the compacted mass of coked coal into lumps of suitable size.

3. lhe method of preparing a finely divided coal, so that it may be used in a g'asproducer, which consists in subjecting the coal as it is being fed to the generating chamber of the producer to the heating actlon of gas generated in the producer, to drive out from the coalliqu'id hydrocarbons, such as tar;

. compacting the said heated coal, admixed with such tar; subjecting the compacted coal I and tar .to further heating action of the gencarbonaceous material in a gas generating erated gas to drive off the volatile matter therefrom to form coke; and breaking the resulting mass of coked fuel into lumps of desired size.

4. The method of preparing coal for use in a gas producer which consists 1n admixing tar with the coal, subjecting the m1xtur e to a progressively increasing heatlng action to drive off the volatile constituents of the mlxture and tending to effect coking thereof, while at the sametime repeatedly and alternately compacting the mixture and then breaking upthe compacted mass.

5. Inthe generation of gas, in whlch the gas in generated by blasting a fuel bed of chamber with air or a mixture of air and moisture, the method which consists in withdrawing the hot generated gas from the gas generating chamber, passing such gas over a mixture of coal and tar, to drive ofi the volatile constituents thereof, alternately compacting and then breaking up said mixture as it is being subjected to the heating action of the gas tending to effect coking thereof, and passing the resulting lumps of fuel into the generating chamber. j

6. In the generation of gas, in which the gas is generated by blasting a fuel bed of carbonaceous material in a gas generating chamber with'ai'r, or a mixture ofair and moisture, themethod which consists in passing a mixture of solid carbonaceous material and tar through the feeding apparatus of the gas generating chamber, passing the hot gas generated in the gas generating chamber over the said mixture as it passes through the fuel feeding apparatus, to drive oil the volatile constituents of said mixture, alternately compacting and breaking up the mixture while it is being subjected to the heating effect of the hot gas tending to effect coking thereof, and passing the resulting material into the generating chamber.

7. In the generation of gas, in which the gas is generated by blasting a fuel bed of carbonaceous material in a gas generator with air, or a mixture of air and moisture, the method which comprises passing coal through a treating chamber; passing the hot gas generated in the gas generator through the treating chamber and over the coal therein, the coal and gas passing through the treating chamber in opposite directions; the coal thus being subjected to a progressively increasing heating action, so that tar is first exuded therefrom and the volatile constituents subsequently driven off tending to effect coking'thereof, compacting the coal and tar and then breaking up the compacted mass.

8. In the generation of gas, in which the gas is made by subjecting a fuel bed of solid carbonaceous material to gas making reactions within a generating chamber; the method of utilizing coal which is so finely divided as to be normally incapable of use in such gas making, which consists in mixing the finely divided coal with tar, alternately compacting and breaking up the mixed mass, while heating it to cause coking there I generating chamber over the mixture of said coal and tar, to drive off the volatile constituents from such mixture tending to effect coking thereof, and at the same time compacting and then breaking up the mixed mass.

10. In the generation of gas, in which the gas is made by subjecting a fuel bed of solid carbonaceous material to'gas making reactions within a generating chamber; the method of utilizing coal which is so finely divided as to be normally incapable of use in such gas making, which comprises the steps of passing the hot gases generated in the generating chamber over said coal to cause the exuding therefrom of tar; compacting the coal and exuded tar, while continuing to pass the hot generated gases thereover to drive ofi volatile'constituents from the compacted mixture, to effect coking thereof, breaking up the coked mass into lumps of suitable size; and feeding such lumps of coked coal into the generating chamber.

11. In the generation of gas, in which the gas is made by subjecting a fuel bed of solid carbonaceous material to gas making reactions within a generating chamber; the method of utilizing coal which is so finely divided as to be normally incapable of use in such gas making, which consists in passing the hot gases generated in the generating chamber over the finely divided coal to drive off volatile hydrocarbons therefrom; withdrawing said volatile hydrocarbons along with the gas, removing the condensable tar from the gas; admixing such removed condensable tar with the finely divided coal, alternately compacting and breaking up the admixed coal and condensable tar, while sub-- j ecting the mixture to the heating effect of the hot generated gases, to cause coking thereof; and feeding the resulting lumps of coke into the generating chamber.

12. In the generation of gas, in which the gas is made'by subjecting a fuel bed of solid carbonaceous material to gas making reactions within a generating chamber; the

method of utilizing coal which has such strongly caking characteristics as to be normally incapable of use in such gas making, which consists in passing the hot gases generated in the generating chamber over said coal to drive out tar therefrom; alternately compacting the coal and tar, and breaking up the compacted'mass, whilecontinuing to pass the heated gases thereover, to drive off volatile hydrocarbons from the mixed mass, to cause coking thereof; and feeding the resulting lumps of coke into the generating chamber.

13. In the generation of gas, in which the gas is made by subjecting a fuel bed of solid carbonaceous material to gas making reactions within a. generating chamber; the

method of utilizing coal, which is so finely divided and has such strong caking characteristics as to be normally incapable of use in such gas making, which consists in passing hot gases generated in the generating chamber over said coal 'to drive out hydrocarbons, such as tar therefrom, alternately compacting the coal and evolved tar, and breaking up the compacted mass, while continuing to pass the heated gases thereover to drive 0H volatile hydrocarbons from the mixed mass, to cause coking thereof; and feeding the resulting lumps of coke into the generating chamber. 14. The method of generating producer gas, and at the same time making coke, which consists in maintaining a fuel bed of solid carbonaceous material within the generating chamber, blasting a part of the fuel within said solid carbonaceous material bed to generate a combustible gas, passing said generated gas through the remainder of said fuel bed, to drive off the volatile constituents within said solid carbonaceous material; withdrawing the resulting gas from the generating chamber, passing the hot withdrawn gas over fresh solid carbonaceous material to drive out tar therefrom, alternately compacting said solid carbonaceous material and exuded tar, and then breaking the compacted mass up into lumps of suitable size, subjecting the resulting lumps of partially coked fuel to the heating action of the hot withdrawn gas to continue the coking action; passing this partially coked fuel into the generating chamber where it is further subjected to the heating action of the hot generated gases, the partially coked fuel being introduced into the generating chamber faster than it is consumed in the gas making reactions, the excess being withdrawn from the generating chamber as coke.

15. The method of generating producer gas, and at the same time making coke, which consists in maintaining a fuel bed of solid carbonaceous material within a generating chamber, blasting said fuel bed to generate combustible gas, passing said generated gas through the fuel bed; withdrawing said gas from the generating chamber, passing the hot withdrawn gas over fresh coal, to drive off the volatile hydrocarbons therefrom; withdrawing the evolved hydrocarbons along with the gas, removing the condensable tar from the gas; admixing such removed tar with the coal. alternately compacting the mixture of coal and tar, and then'breaking up the said compacted mixture, while subjecting the mixture to the coking effect of the hot generated gases passing thereover; introducing the resulting partially coked material into the generating chamber, where the coking action is completed, as the hot generated gas passes thereover, the treated fuel being introduced into the generating chamber faster than it is consumed in the gas making reactions, the excess being withdrawn from the generating chamber as coke.

16. The method of generating producer gas, and at the same time making coke from a fuel which is normally non-coking, which consists in maintaining a fuel bed of solid carbonaceous material Within a generating chamber, blasting said fuel bed to produce a combustible gas, passing said gas through said fuel bed; Withdrawing the gas from the generating chamber; admixing tar, with the non-coking coal. compacting the admixed coal and tar, passing the hot withdrawn gas over such admixed mass to partially coke it by driving off volatile constituents there- 'from, breaking up the partially coked mass into lumps of suitable size;.introducing this partially coked fuel into the generating chamber, and passing the generated gas over this fuel, as such gas passes off from the generating chamber, to complete the coking thereof, the treated fuel being introduced into the generating chamber faster than it is consumed in the gas making reactions, the excess being'withdrawn from the generating chamber as coke. I

17. The method of generating producer gas, and at the same time making coke, which consists in maintaining a fuel bed of solid carbonaceous material within a generating chamber, blasting a portion of said fuel bed to generate acombustible gas, passing said generated gas through the remainder of the fuel bed; withdrawing the gas from the generating chamber, passing the hot withdrawn gas over fresh fuel, such as coal, to partially coke that fuel; introducing the partially coked fuel into the generating chamber, and upon the fuel bed thereof. where it will be subjected to the hot generated gases, as they pass through the fuelbed, and the coking thereof completed, the partially coked fuel being introduced into the generating chamber faster than it is consumed in the gas making reactions, the excess being withdrawn from the generating chamber as coke; spraying water onto said coke to quench it, and introducing vapor resulting from such quenching into the blast passing into the generating chamber.

18. Apparatus of the character described comprising a treating chamber; a plurality of partitions within said treating chamber, dividing it into a plurality of compartments, each partition-being provided with an opening therein connecting the compartment on opposite sides of the partition; means for introducing fuel into the compartment at one end of the treating chamber, means for in tmducing a heated gas into the compartment at the other end of the treating chamber, means for moving the fuel through the treating chamber, means for moving the heated gas through the chamber in the opposite directions, to eflect a coking of said rality of compartments; a rotatable shaft extending through said treating chamber; plows within each compartment, operated by said rotatable shaft, each set of plows being constructed to move the fuel from the compartment in which it is located to the next lower compartment; and compacting rollers within certain of the compartments, also operated by said shaft; the fuel within each of the compartments which contains compacting rollers being alternately compacted and then broken up into lumps, and means for passing hot gas through the treating chamber and over the fuel therein during operation of the device to cause coking of the fuel.

' 20. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a gas generating chamber adapted to contain a fuel bed of ignited carbonaceous material, means for blasting said fuel bed to cause the generation of gas, said generating chamber having a combined gas ofitake and fuel inlet opening, through which the generated gas passes out of the generating chamber and fuel into the generating chamber, and upon the fuel bed therein; and fuel feeding mechanism surrounding said opening, comprising a treating chamber having a fuel'inlet port, and a separate gas outlet port in one end thereof; means for feeding fuel into said treating chamber: and means for alternately compacting said fuel and breakingsaid compacted fuel into lumps, and at the same time moving said fuel the said combined gas offtake and fuel inlet opening into the generating chamber; the hot generated gases being constrained to pass through the treating chamber, and over the fuel therein, to effect coking thereof, as such fuel passes through the treating chamber.

21. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a producer gas generator. having a gas generating chamber constructed to contain a fuel bed, means for blasting said fuel bed to cause the generation of gas; and mechanism for feeding fuel into said generating chamber, comprising a treating chamber, means for introducing finely divided fuel into .said treating chamber, means for admixing tar with said finely divided fuel within the treating chamber, means for compacting the mixed fuel and tar, means for breaking said compacted mass into lumps lit of substantial size, means for coking said mixture of fuel and tar, and means for introducing such coked fuel into the generating chamber.

22.. In, apparatus of the character described, and in combination, a gas generator having a generating chamber constructed to contain a fuel bed, means for blasting said fuel bed to cause the generation of gas; mechanism for feeding fuel into said generating chamber, comprising a treating chamber, means for causing the hot generated gases to pass through said treating chamber, means for introducing coal into the treating chamber, the hot gases passing through said treating chamber serving to heat the coal within the treating chamber to effect coking thereof, means within the treating chamber for alternately compacting the coal, and breaking the compacted coal into lumps of substantial size, during the coking action, and means for feeding the coked coal into the generating chamber. I

23. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a gas generator having a generating chamber constructed to contain a fuel bed, means for introducing a blast into said generating chamber to effect gas making reactions within a portion of said fuel bed; a treating chamber, having a gas ofltake connecting the interior of the generating chamber and the treating chamber, and a gas outlet; means for introducing fuel, such as coal, into the treating chamber, means for alternately compacting the fuel and the tar evolved therefrom while the fuel is within the treating chamber, and for breaking the resulting compacted mass, whereby lumps of coked fuel are produced; means for introducing such coked fuel into the generating chamber of the producer, the fuel being introduced into the generating chamber faster than it is consumed in the gas making reactions, so that during operation of the device, the coke introduced into the generating chamber is subjected to a further coking action therein; and means for removing the excesscoke from the generating chamber.

24. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a gas producer having a generating chamber constructed to contain a fuel bed, means for introducing a blast into said generating chamber to effect gas making reactions within a portion of said fuel bed; a treating chamber having a gas outlet therefrom and a gas inlet connecting the interior of the generating chamber and the treating chamber, means for introducing fuel, such as coal, into the treating chamber, means for alternately compacting the fuel and the tar evolved therefrom while the fuel is within the treating chamber, and for breaking the resulting compacted mass, whereby lumps of coked fuel are produced; means for introducing such coked fuel into the generating chamber of the producer, the coked fuel being introduced into the generating chamber faster than it is consumed in the gas making reactions, and, during operation of the device, subjected'to a further coking action within said generating chamber; means for removing the excess coke from the generating chamber; means for introducing water upon such coke to quench it, and means for passing Vapor resulting from such quenching into the generating chamber as part of the blast,

25, In apparatus of the character described comprising a gas generating chamber adapted to contain a fuel bed of ignited carbonaceous material, and means for blasting said fuel bed to cause the generation of gas, said generating chamber having a combined gas oiftake and fuel inlet opening, through which the generated gas passes out of the generating chamber and fuel into the generating chamber upon the fuel bed therein; fuel feeding mechanism surrounding said opening comprising a treating chamber having a fuel inlet port, and a separate gas outlet port in one end thereof, means for feeding fuel into said treating chamber, a plurality of spaced partitions within said treating chamber and having openings therethrough, a plurality of plates within said treating chamber and arranged in staggered relation with said partitions, a rotary shaft mounted within said treating chamber and scrapers effective during operation of saidshaft for progressively feeding said fuel through said treating chamber and into said generating chamber while subjecting it to the heating action of the offgoing generated gas.

26. In apparatus of the character described comprising a gas generating chamber adapted to contain a fuel bed of ignited carbonaceous material, and means for blasting said fuel bed to cause the generation of gas, said generating chamber having a combined gas oiftake and fuel inlet opening, through which the generated gas passes out of the generating chamber and fuel into the generating chamber upon the fuel bed therein; fuel feeding mechanism surrounding said opening comprising a treating chamber having a fuel inlet port, and a separate gas outlet port in one end thereof, means for feeding fuel into said treating chamber, a plurality of spaced partitions carried by the wall of said treating chamber, said partitions having substantially centrally arranged openings there-' through, a rotary shaft extending longitudinally within said treating chamber, a plurality of plates having peripheral openings within said treating chamber, said plates overlapping the openings in said partitions and arranged in staggered relation with respect to said partitions, and scrapers therein for progressively feeding said fuel through said treating chamber and into said generating chamber while subjecting it to the heating action of the ofigoing generated gas.

27 In apparatus of the character described comprising a gas generatin chamber adapted to contain a fuel bed 0 ignited carbona ceous material, and means for blasting said fuel bed to cause the generation of gas, said generating chamber having a combined as ofitake and fuel inlet opening through WlllCll the generated gas passes out of the generating chamber and fuel into the generating chamber and upon the fuel bed therein; fuel feeding mechanism surrounding said openin comprising a treating chamber having a fuel inlet port, and a separate gas outlet port in one end thereof, means for feedin fuel into said chamber, a plurality of space artitions within said treating chamber havmg substantially centrallty arran ed openings therethrough, a plura ity of p ates with in said treating chamber having peripheral discharge openlngs between the wall of said treating chamber and said plates, said plates being arranged in staggered relation with said partitions, a rotary shaft extending longitudinally within said treating chamber, and a plurality of scrapers effective duri operation of said shaft for feedin said fue through said treating chamber and into said generating chamber while said fuel is subjected to the heating action of the ofigoing generated gas.

In testimony whereof Ihereto aflix my signature. a HARRY F. SMITH, 

